Adjustable ring gauge



Aug. 2l,v 1951 G. HOHWART ETAL ADJUSTABLE RING GAUGE Filed July 26, 1946 #Tra/7N EVS,

Patented Aug. 21, 1951 ADJUSTABLE RING GAUGE George Hohwart and Ernest F. Hohwa-rt, Detroit, Mich., assignors to N. A.. Woodworth Company, Ferndale, Mich., a corporation of Michigan Application July 26, 1946, Serial No. 686,491

16 Claims. '(Cl. 33-199) This invention relates broadly to new and useful improvements in radially adjustable devices such as ring gages and journal bearings and more particularly to a device of this character that Will maintain substantially exact circularity throughout a range of adjustment.

The invention concept is here shown embodied in a thread ring gage of the type illustrated in our copending application Serial No. 653,571, which was filed Marchll, 1946. This gage comprises an insert surrounded by an eccentric body member. Both the insert and the body have radial through slots which permit radial adjustment of the same and the latter is also equipped with slots which extend part way therethrough and Whose primary function is to increase the flexibility of the body and thus facilitate such adjustment. These latter slots increase gradually in length from the adjusting slot so that the solid portion of the body disposed radially outwardly therefrom is of generally uniform thickness. It has now been discovered that this prior type of gage maintains true circularity if the insert opening is not greater than about one and one-half inches in diameter but is not satisfactory for larger gages, and further that this defect is due to the particular arrangement of the slots.

An important object of the present invention is to provide a novel construction for ring gages or equivalent mechanisms that will maintain true circularity of the insert opening regardless of its size.

Another object of the invention is to provide a construction of the above-mentioned character that is simple yet highly eicient in operation.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent during the course of the followingdescription.

In the drawing forming a part of this specification and wherein like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same,

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a ring gage embodying the invention, parts thereof being broken away and shown in section for clearness of illustration,

Fig. 2 is an edgewise elevation of the same, and

Fig. 3 is an enlarged View of the portion of Fig. 1 enclosed in the circle 3.

The insert is designated by the numeral IS and the body by the numeral I2. Both the insert and the body are generally circular in shape, as shown in Fig. 1, and are relatively thick, as shown in Fig. 2. The insert II) may be made of hardened steel or any suitable or conventional material of the type commonly employed in gaging elements. The body I2 may be made of any suitable matrial but is preferably made of aluminum or other light metal. When thus constructed, the gage is 50% lighter in Weight than the standard AGD gage.l This is important in a device of this character, since the reduced weight results in less fatigue and assures a more sensitive feel.

As best shown in Fig. 1, the insert I0 has a generally cylindrical peripheral surface and is provided With an eccentrically positioned, internally screw-threaded opening I4 Which is adapted to receive and snugly t an externally screwthreaded workpiece (not shown). In'accordance with practices Well-known in the art, the opening I4 may be provided with threads of any suitable type or size, depending on the character of the particular work to be tested. At its thinnest portion the insert I D is provided with a radial adjusting slot I6 which extends 'entirely therethrough and permits radial expansion and contraction of the same, and the slot is adapted to receive an adjusting screw for holding the ends of the insert rigidly spaced apart.

'I'he body I2 also has a generally cylindrical peripheral surface and is provided with an eccentrically positioned openingv I8 Which receives and snugly ts the cylindrical periphery of the insert I0. It will be observed that the centers of openings I4 and I8 are` disposed 180 apart; At the thinnest portion of the body I2 is a radial adjusting slot 20 Which extends entirely therethrough and permits radial expansion and contraction of the same. Since the body I2 is relatively thick and rigid it also is preferably provided with a plurality of substantially equispaced slots 22 which extend part way therethrough and greatly increase its flexibility. All of the slots 22 extend radially outwardly from opening I 8, and all except the two slots nearest the adjusting slot 20 are provided with terminal holes 24.

According to the present invention the slots 22 are substantially uniform in length and the terminal holes 24 are substantially uniform in diameterso that the centers ofthe latter lie approximately equal distances from the inner edge I6. It will be observed that the terminal holes 24 define a circle 26 which is disposed concentrically to the opening I8 and eccentrically to the periphery of the body. The solid portion 28 of the body disposed radially outwardly from the circle 26 increases progressively in radial thickness from the adjusting slot 20 so that it is thickest directly opposite the adjusting slot I6 (the thinnest portion of insert I 0) and tapers gradually toward adjusting slot 20 (the thickest portion of the insert). Thus, the stiffness or rigidity of the body I2 increases gradually and progressively in both directions from the adjusting slot 20 as distinguished from the prior construction wherein the solid outer portion of the body was of more or less uniform rigidity throughout its circumference.

Tests have demonstrated conclusively that the instant arrangement of slots 22 and terminal holes 2i! achieves unexpectedly good results in maintaining absolute circularity of the worktesting opening I4 in all adjusted positions of the gage. Moreover, absolute circularity is maintained in gages of large diameter as well as in the smaller gages.

The body I2 preferably is suitably colored to distinguish the go from the no go gage and this can be done conveniently by anodizing the body according to practices well-known in the art. Green is preferably used to designate the go gage and red to designate the no go gage. This practice adds color and beauty to the product and helps the operator to quickly identify the gages.

Adjustment of the body I2 is effected by a clamp screw 35 which is disposed in aligning openings 32 and 34 and extends transversely across the adjusting slot 20. In order that no parts project from the body I2 and to provide a radial shoulder for the screw head, the latter is recessed in a countersink 36 at the outer end of opening 32. Opening 34 is internally screwthreaded to engage the external threads of screw 30 so that tightening of the latter radially contracts the body I2 and insert I0.

In thread ring gages radial adjustment of the insert I from its normal position causes misalignment of the threads at opposite sides of adjusting slot I6 and it is proposed that the same means be used here for correcting such misalignment as are disclosed in the prior application hereinabove referred to. Specifically, this means comprises an adjusting screw 38 which is disposed in an internally screw-threaded radially extending opening 40 provided in the body 'I2 in alignment with -the adjusting slot I6. At its inner end the screw 38 is provided with a longitudinal extension or nose 4K2 which proiects into confronting recesses 44 and 46 provided centrally in opposite walls of adjusting slot I6. These recesses 44 and 46 are inwardly tapered as shown in Fig. 3, and the extension 42 has a yspherically curved surface 48 which is adapted to press against the walls of the recesses preferably at substantially the middle of the insert I?. Also, each of the recesses 44 and 46 have cam surfaces disposed in such angular relation with respect to each other and to the extension 42 that the spaced ends of insert I@ are exed axially in fopposite directions by tightening of the screw 38 to compensate precisely for misalignment of the threads. It will be readily appreciated that tightening of the screw v38 in this manner tends to spread the spaced ends of insert vIII and to expand the latter radially outwardly against the inner wall of the bods7 l2.

In practice, the opening I4 is made approximately the same size as the work to be tested. If it is desired to use the gage for testing slightly larger workpieoes, the insert II) is expanded, and, if it is desired to use the gage for testing slightly smaller workplaces or if the opening I4 becomes worn so that it no longer ,receives the workpiece with requisite snugness, the insert is contracted.

In order to adjust the gage the clamp screw 30 is loosened and a master thread gage set plug (not shown) is screwed into the opening I4. If necessary, the screw 38 can be tightened so that the insert is expanded suiiiciently to accommodate the plug. When the master thread gage set plug has been screwed fully into the opening I4, screw 38 is adjusted so that the opening nts the plug properly when clamping screw 36 is tightened. In this connection it will be observed that when clamping screw 30 is tightened, the body I2 acts in the manner of a hose clamp to apply a radially con'tractive force uniformly against the insert I0. The master thread gage set plug is then removed and the gage is properly adjusted.

It is to be understood that the form of the invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as a preferred example of the same and that various changes in the size, shape and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention, we claim:

1. A device of the character described comprising a body having a circular periphery and an eccentrically located circular opening, a radial adjusting slot extending entirely therethrough substantially at the thinnest portion thereof, and a plurality of circumferentially spaced slots extending radially from the opening and part way through the body, the portion of said body disposed radially outwardly from the last-mentioned slots increasing progressively in radial 'thickness from said adjusting slot; and an insert having a circular periphery iitting snugly in the opening of said body, an eccentric circular opening and a radial through slot at the thinnest portion thereof, the through slot of said insert being located substantially opposite the radial adjusting slot of said body.

2. In a device of the character described, a generally disk-shaped body having an eccentrically located circular opening, an adjusting slot extending radially therethrough substantially at the thinnest portion thereof, and a plurality of circumferentiaily spaced slots extending radially from the opening and part way through the body, the portion of said body disposed radially outwardly from the last-mentioned slots increasing progressively in radial thickness from said adjusting slot; and a generally disk-shaped insert tting snugly in the body opening, said insert provided with an eccentrically located circular opening and an adjusting slot extending radially therethrough, the latter located at the thinnest portion of the insert and disposed substantially from the adjusting slot in said body.

3. In a device of the character described, a generally disk-shaped body having an eccentrically located circular opening; and a generally disk-shaped insert fitting snugly in said opening, said insert having a circular opening located eccentrically therein and concentrically to the periphery of the body, said insert and said body having adjusting slots extending radially therethrough substantially at the radially thinnest portions thereof and arranged with respect to each other so that they are located essentially 186 apart, said body having a plurality of circumferentially spaced slots extending radially outwardly from the inner edge thereof and provided with terminal holes, said terminal holes lying in a circle disposed eccentrically to the periphery of the body and positioned so that the portion of the body disposed radially outwardly therefrom increases progressively in radial thickness from the adjusting slot in said body.

4. In a device of the character described, a generally C-shaped insert having inner and outer edges arranged eccentrically with respect to each other so that the insert increases progressively in radial thickness from its ends toward its middle; and an annular body around the insert, said body having an adjusting slot extending radially therethrough and increasing progressively in radial thickness from said adjusting slot, said body and said insert arranged with the thickest portions thereof in opposed relation, said body further provided with a plurality of circumferentially spaced slots opening against the periphery of the insert and extending radially outwardly part way through the body, said lastmentioned slots of substantially uniform length and the'portion of the body disposed radially outwardly therefrom increases progressively in radial thickness from said adjusting slot.

5. In a device of the character described, a radially adjustable insert having circular inner and outer edges arranged eccentrically with respect to each other and a radial through slot at the radially thinnest portion thereof; and an annular body around the insert, said body havy ing an adjusting slot extending radially therethrough and increasing progressively in radial thickness from said adjusting slot, said body further provided with a plurality of circumferentially spaced slots which open onto the periphery of the insert and extend radially outwardly and part way through the body, said last-mentioned slots having terminal holes which collectively lie ina circular path disposed concentrically to the periphery of the insert and eccentrically to the periphery of the body so that the portion of the body disposed radially outwardly from said terminal holes increases progressively in radial thickness from said adjusting slot.

6. A ring gage comprising an-annular gaging member having an eccentrically located circular openingand spacedA ends; and an annular body member around said gaging member having spaced ends arranged generally in opposed relation to the ends of said gaging member, said body member provided with a plurality of circumferentially spaced slots in the body which extend radially outwardly from said gaging member, said slots extending part way through the body and so constructed and arranged that the portion of the body disposed radially outwardly therefrom increases progressively in radial thickness from the spaced ends thereof.

'7. Al ring gage comprising an annular gaging member having an eccentrically located circular opening and spaced ends; an annular body member around said gaging member having spaced ends arranged generally in opposed relation to the ends of said gaging member, said body member provided with a plurality of circumferentially spaced slots which extend radially outwardly from said gaging member, said slots extending part way through the body and so constructed and arranged that the portion of the body disposed radially outwardly therefrom increases progressively in radial thickness from said spaced ends; and means for drawing the ends of said body toward each other whereby to apply radially contracting forces against said gaging member.

8. A ring gage comprising an annular gaging member having an eccentrically located circular opening and spaced ends; an annular body member around said gaging member having spaced ends arranged generally in opposed relation to the ends of said gaging member, said body member provided with a plurality of circumferentially spaced slots which extend radially outwardly `from said gaging member, said slots extending part way through the body and so constructed and arranged that the portion of the body disposed radially outwardly therefrom increases progressively in radial thickness from said spaced ends; means for drawing the ends of said body toward each other whereby to apply radially contracting forces against said gaging member; and means for spreading the spaced ends of said insert to expand the latter against said body.

Y9. A thread ring gage comprising an internally-threaded annular 'gaging member having eccentric inner and outer edges and spaced ends 'ing `slot in saidbody.

l0. A thread ring gage comprising an internally-threaded annular gaging member having eccentric inner and outer edges and spaced ends -at the radially vthinnest portion thereof which denne a radial adjusting slot; an annular body around said gaging member having a radial adjusting slot disposed in opposed relation to the adjusting slot of said gaging member and vadapted to apply'a radially contracting force against the gaging member, said body increasing progressively in radial thickness from said adjusting slot' therein and provided with a plurality of circumferentially spaced slots which ex-A tend radially from the gaging member and part Vway through the body, said last-mentioned slots l-of substantially uniform length whereby the solid portion of the body disposed radially outwardly therefrom increases progressively in thickness from the adjusting slot in said body; and means for radially adjusting the insert and the body including a means for adjusting the ends of said gaging member axially to compensate for axial offset produced in the threads as the result of such radial adjustment.

ll. A thread ring gage comprising an internally-threaded annular gaging member having eccentric inner and outer edges and spaced ends at the radially thinnest portion thereof which define a radial adjusting slot; an annular body around said gaging member having a radial adjusting slot disposed in opposed relation to the adjusting slot of said gaging member and adapted to apply a radially contracting force against said member, said body increasing progressively in radial thickness from said adjusting slot and provided with a plurality of circumferentially spaced slots which extend radially frfom the gaging member and part way through the body, said last-mentioned slots of substantially uniform length whereby the solid portion of the body disposed radially outwardly therefrom increases progressively in thickness from said adjusting slot therein; and means carried by the body coactive with the ends of said gaging lmember for moving the same circumferentially andk axially relative to each other whereby automatically to compensate for axial oiset produced in said internal threads when the insert is radially contracted.

l2. In a device of the character described, generally ring-shaped inner and outer members, the inner edge of each member being eccentric to the outer edge thereof, said members arranged in diametrically opposed relation so that the radially thinnest portion of one is adjacent to the radially thickest portion of the other, and said outer member provided with a plurality of radial slots which extend part Way therethrough and having a solid portion laterally of said slots which portion increases in radial thickness from the radially thinnest portion of said member, both of said members provided with radial through slots at the radially thinnest portions thereof to permit radial adjustment of the members and said through slots disposed substantially 180 apart.

13. In a device of the character described, inner and outer ring members, the inner edge of each member being eccentric to the outer edge thereof and said members arranged in diametrically opposed relation so that the thinnest portion of one is adjacent to the thickest portion kof the other, both of said members having radial through slots in said thinnest portions to permit radial adjustment of the members, said outer member provided with a plurality of radial slots which extend part Way therethrough and having a solid portion laterally of said slots, said Solid portions being progressively more rigid from its ends.

14. In a device ofk the character described, inner and outer ring members, the inner edge of each member being eccentric to the outer edge `thereof and said members arranged in diametrically .opposed relation so that the radially thinnest portion of one is adjacent to the radially thickest portion of the other, both of said members having radial through slots in said thinnest portions to permit radial adjustment of the members, said outer member provided with a plurality of radial slots which extend part way therethrough and having a solid portion laterally of said slots, which portion increases gradually in radial thickness and progressively in rigidity from the ends of said member.

15. In a device of the character described, inner and outer split ring members, and means for flexing said members to adjust the same radially, the inner edge of each member being eccentric tc the outer edge thereof and said members arranged in diametrically opposed relation so that the radially thinnest portion of one is adjacent to the radially thickest portion of the other, said outer member provided with a plurality of radial slots which extend part way therethrough and having a solid portion laterally of said slots increasing gradually in thickness and of progressively increasing rigidity from the ends of said member.

16. In a device of the character described, a generally disk-shaped body having an eccentrically located circular opening, an adjusting slot extending radially therethrough substantially at the radially thinnest portion thereof, and a pluralit-y of circumferentially spaced slots extending radially outwardly from said opening and part Way through the body, the outer ends of said lastmentioned slots having terminal holes so located that the portion of the body disposed radially outwardly therefrom increases progressively in radial thickness from said adjusting slot; and an insert having a ,circular periphery tting snugly in the .opening of said body, an eccentric circular opening and a radial through slot at the radially thinnest portion thereof, the through slot of said insert being located substantially opposite the radial adjusting slot of said body.

CrEORGli HOI-IWART. ERNEST F. HOI-IWART.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the iile of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,353,626 Schnaars July 1l, 1944 2,413,566 Hohwart et al Dec. 31, 1946 2,443,904 Fishman June 22, 1948 

